Tournament week arrived with fanfare that could be seen from Earth's surface. The academy's main arena had been transformed into a crystalline colosseum, its transparent walls offering spectators views of both the combat and the infinite cosmos beyond.
Kaito's first opponent was Castor Gemini, a third-year noble with twin-star techniques and a reputation for flashy victories. The boy stood across the arena in pristine white robes, his constellation already manifesting as dual points of light around his fists.
"This should be quick," Castor announced loudly enough for the crowd to hear. "Everyone knows the farm boy's been neutered."
COSMO-KI GAUGE 12% ★ FORM SEALED
In the VIP observation box, Kaito spotted academy dignitaries and several figures in military uniforms he didn't recognize. Their presence made his suppressor bands feel heavier somehow.
"Contestants ready?" The referee's voice echoed through the arena. "Begin!"
Castor moved immediately, twin beams of starlight shooting from his hands in perfect synchronization. His Gemini technique was all about overwhelming opponents with dual attacks from impossible angles.
Kaito dodged desperately, his twelve percent feeling pathetic against such coordinated assault. The crowd murmured disappointment as he barely avoided each strike, offering no counter-attacks.
"Come on!" Bo's voice carried from the student section. "Show them what you can do!"
But what could he do? The suppressors held his power in check, and Castor's technique required precision he simply couldn't match at reduced capacity.
That's when frustration finally boiled over. Kaito stopped trying to fight smart and just fought angry.
His fist connected with Castor's guard, and something unexpected happened. The suppressor bands flared with warning light, but beneath that artificial limitation, deeper power stirred. For just an instant, golden lightning flickered around Kaito's knuckles.
The impact sent Castor flying across the arena.
COSMO-KI GAUGE 15% ★ FORM SEALED - FLUCTUATION DETECTED
"What?" Castor scrambled to his feet, twin-star energy flickering uncertainly. "That's impossible! Your gauge barely registered!"
Kaito stared at his hands in amazement. The suppressors were supposed to prevent any power above twelve percent, yet something had definitely broken through.
He pressed his advantage, moving faster than his gauge should have allowed. Each strike carried traces of that golden lightning, and Castor's defensive techniques began crumbling under the assault.
The final blow came when Kaito's punch connected with both of Castor's twin-star projections simultaneously. The collision created a flash of light visible throughout the academy, and when it faded, Castor lay unconscious on the arena floor.
"Winner: Kaito Ryuusei!" the referee announced to stunned silence.
In the VIP box, one of the military observers leaned forward with interest. "The suppressors failed to contain the fluctuation."
"No," Instructor Vega replied from beside him. "They worked exactly as designed."
As Kaito left the arena, his bands pulsed ominously. Whatever was happening, the tournament was just getting started.
Chapter 12: Gauge Spiral
The medical bay's readings made no sense. Kaito lay on the examination table while academy technicians ran diagnostics on his suppressor bands, their concerned murmurs filling the sterile air.
"Bands are functioning perfectly," the chief technician reported to Master Polaris. "But the power fluctuations are unlike anything in our database."
Through the observation window, Kaito could see other tournament winners receiving treatment for their victories. Most looked tired but satisfied. He felt like his entire nervous system was on fire.
"The Star-Dragon essence is adapting," Polaris explained quietly. "Each time you access it, even through the suppressors, it grows stronger. Like a muscle developing resistance to restraint."
"Is that bad?" Kaito asked, though the answer was probably obvious.
"Potentially catastrophic." The master's starlight beard flickered with worry. "Traditional constellation forms draw power from external stellar sources. But Star-Dragon generates energy internally, from the practitioner's own life force."
Kaito's stomach dropped. "Life force?"
"Each time you exceed your suppressed limits, you're literally burning years off your lifespan." Polaris activated a holographic display showing Kaito's vital signs. "The readings indicate you've already consumed approximately six months during that single match."
The room fell silent except for the steady beeping of monitoring equipment. Six months of his life for one tournament victory.
"How long do I have?" Kaito asked quietly.
"At current escalation rates? If you continue fighting at tournament intensity..." Polaris paused, clearly reluctant to continue. "Perhaps two years. Three if you're extremely careful."
"But the tournament-"
"Should be abandoned immediately." The master's tone brooked no argument. "Inform the committee that medical concerns require your withdrawal."
Before Kaito could respond, the bay's doors slid open. Instructor Vega entered with his characteristic silent approach, followed by two figures in military dress Kaito didn't recognize.
"Master Polaris," Vega said formally, "these are representatives from the Stellar Defense Corps. They have questions about Mr. Ryuusei's performance."
The taller military officer stepped forward. "Son, we need to discuss your unique abilities. Specifically, how they might serve the greater good."
Polaris moved protectively between them and Kaito. "The boy is injured and under medical supervision-"
"The boy possesses a power that could change the balance of interstellar defense," the officer interrupted. "Recent intelligence suggests hostile forces are mobilizing beyond the outer rim. We may need every weapon at our disposal."
As they argued, Kaito noticed something alarming. His suppressor bands were pulsing faster now, responding to his elevated stress. The golden lightning was building again despite his efforts to stay calm.
COSMO-KI GAUGE 19% ★ FORM SEALED - CRITICAL FLUCTUATION
Whatever was happening to him, withdrawal from the tournament might not be an option anymore.
Chapter 13: Nova Gi Upgrade
"Absolutely not," Reina declared, blocking Kaito's path to the tournament withdrawal office. "I won't let you quit."
"You heard what Polaris said," Kaito replied, exhaustion weighing down every word. "I'm literally burning my life away every time I fight."
"And you heard what those military officers implied." Her silver eyes blazed with determination. "Something's coming, something that might require exactly the kind of power you possess."
They stood in the academy's equipment dispensary, surrounded by floating displays of advanced combat gear. Other tournament participants browsed the selection, choosing upgraded uniforms and weapon attachments for the next round.
"Besides," Reina continued, "I may have found a solution to your power problem."
She approached one of the displays, her student credentials unlocking a restricted section. "Arc-Pass technology. Experimental gear designed for high-stress combat situations."
The hologram that materialized showed a sleek training uniform in deep blue, with silver circuit patterns that seemed to pulse with their own light.
"Nova Gi, Mark VII," she read from the specifications. "Built-in gauge dampening field, emergency power regulation, and..." She paused, highlighting a specific feature. "Life force conservation protocols."
NEW EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE: NOVA GI MARK VIIEFFECT: REDUCES LIFE FORCE CONSUMPTION BY 60%REQUIREMENT: ARC-PASS AUTHORIZATION
"How did you get Arc-Pass clearance?" Kaito asked suspiciously.
"Family connections have their advantages." Reina's smile held secrets. "The Aquila house has certain... investments in academy research projects."
As Kaito examined the uniform specifications, Bo jogged up with his own selection: an enhanced archer's outfit with improved targeting systems.
"Please tell me you're not actually withdrawing," Bo said breathlessly. "The whole academy's talking about your lightning technique. Half the students think you're developing a new constellation form entirely."
"Half the students might be right," Reina murmured, then louder: "Try on the Nova Gi. See how it feels."
The uniform materialized around Kaito in a shimmer of light, adapting perfectly to his frame. Immediately, the constant burning sensation in his chest diminished to a manageable warmth.
COSMO-KI GAUGE 14% ★ FORM SEALED - STABILIZEDLIFE FORCE PROTECTION: ACTIVE
"It's working," he said in amazement. The suppressor bands still limited his maximum output, but the dangerous fluctuations had smoothed out completely.
"Perfect," Reina said with satisfaction. "Now you can fight without dying. Probably."
"Probably?"
Her grin was distinctly predatory. "Well, you'll still need to survive facing Leo Regulus in the quarterfinals. And rumor has it he's been training with some very interesting new techniques."
Through the dispensary windows, they could see Leo practicing in one of the advanced arenas. His Solar Lion claws had evolved, burning brighter and hotter than ever before.
RIVAL RESPECT METER: REINA +15% (TOTAL: 25%)
But something else caught Kaito's attention: Leo's movements seemed different, more aggressive, almost desperate.
Like someone had given him a very compelling reason to win.
Chapter 14: Arc-Pass Hook - Solar Lion Clash
The quarterfinal arena crackled with tension as Kaito and Leo faced each other across the crystalline floor. Spectators packed every available seat, their excited chatter creating a constant buzz that vibrated through the academy's structure.
Leo looked different than usual. His golden hair seemed to burn with actual flame, and his Solar Lion constellation manifested at nearly sixty percent intensity without any apparent effort.
"Enjoying your new costume?" Leo sneered, gesturing at Kaito's Nova Gi. "Too bad fancy clothes won't save you from what's coming."
In the VIP section, Kaito spotted the same military officers from the medical bay, watching intently. Beside them sat figures in dark robes he didn't recognize, their faces hidden by shadow.
"Contestants ready?" The referee's amplified voice echoed through the arena. "Quarterfinal match: Leo Regulus versus Kaito Ryuusei. Begin!"
Leo exploded into motion immediately, his Solar Lion claws leaving trails of superheated plasma as he attacked. But his technique was different now, more vicious, targeting vital points with killing intent.
Kaito barely dodged the first strike, feeling heat wash over him as Leo's claws passed inches from his throat. This wasn't tournament sparring anymore. This was real combat.
"What's gotten into you?" Kaito gasped, rolling away from another devastating strike.
"Power," Leo snarled, his eyes reflecting actual firelight. "Something you charity cases could never understand."
COSMO-KI GAUGE 18% ★ FORM SEALED - NOVA GI STABILIZING
The new uniform was definitely helping. Kaito could feel his power building without the dangerous life-force drain, but eighteen percent still felt pathetic against Leo's overwhelming assault.
Solar Lion techniques scorched the arena floor where Kaito had been standing moments before. The crowd gasped as the attacks grew more intense, more desperate.
That's when Kaito noticed something odd about Leo's movements. They were powerful, yes, but also uncontrolled. Like someone had artificially boosted his abilities without teaching proper restraint.
"Leo, stop!" Kaito called out. "You're going to hurt yourself!"
"Shut up!" Leo's response came with a double-handed strike that cracked the arena wall. "You think your little dragon trick makes you special? Watch this!"
His Solar Lion constellation suddenly flared beyond anything Kaito had seen before. The golden energy took on new characteristics, darker somehow, with veins of something that definitely wasn't starlight.
WARNING: HOSTILE ENERGY SIGNATURE DETECTEDCLASSIFICATION: NON-STELLAR SOURCE
In the stands, Master Polaris shot to his feet with alarm. "Emergency shutdown! That power source is-"
Leo's final attack never connected. Instead, he collapsed mid-strike, his enhanced Solar Lion form dissipating as he hit the arena floor unconscious.
[ARC-PASS UNLOCK REQUIRED TO SEE WHAT CAUSED LEO'S COLLAPSE]
Chapter 15: Solar vs Dragon
[ARC-PASS CONTENT UNLOCKED]
The arena fell silent as Leo's unconscious form was surrounded by emergency medical staff. Kaito approached cautiously, his suppressor bands pulsing with warning signals as they detected residual energy in the air.
"What happened to him?" Kaito asked the nearest medic.
"Power overload," came the grim reply. "His constellation form was artificially enhanced beyond safe parameters. Someone gave him external amplification without proper safeguards."
In the VIP section, the robed figures were departing hastily, their forms seeming to blur at the edges like heat mirages. The military officers remained, taking detailed notes on everything they observed.
"Kaito Ryuusei, victory by opponent incapacitation," the referee announced reluctantly. "Advancing to semifinals."
But the victory felt hollow. As Leo was carried away on a medical transport, Kaito caught a glimpse of his rival's wrist. Dark marks spiraled around his gauge display, definitely not academy-standard equipment.
"Someone's cheating," Bo said quietly, joining Kaito on the arena floor. "And using students as test subjects."
Reina materialized beside them with her characteristic silent approach. "Not cheating. Recruiting. Those robed figures were Void-Fist Society representatives."
Kaito's blood ran cold. He'd heard whispers about the Void-Fist Society: a secretive organization that operated beyond official constellation training, drawing power from sources the academy considered forbidden.
"They're enhancing promising students with their techniques," Reina continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Creating artificial power boosts that burn out the user's natural abilities."
"But why Leo?" Kaito asked.
"Because he was desperate enough to accept their offer," she replied grimly. "And because they needed to test their enhancement process before approaching their real target."
Her silver eyes fixed on Kaito meaningfully.
"Me," he realized.
COSMO-KI GAUGE 22% ★ FORM SEALED - FLUCTUATION INCREASING
The Nova Gi's protection was still holding, but Kaito could feel something building in his chest. The Star-Dragon power was responding to the threat, growing stronger despite the suppressor bands.
"They know about your real potential," Reina warned. "And they'll do anything to control it or eliminate it."
As they left the arena, Kaito noticed new security measures being implemented throughout the academy. Additional guards, scanner checkpoints, and surveillance drones that definitely hadn't been there yesterday.
The tournament was becoming something far more dangerous than anyone had anticipated.
SEMIFINALS APPROACHINGRIVAL RESPECT METER: +8% (TOTAL: 33%)NEXT: Chapter 16 - North-Star Meditation